Cirque du Soleil Member Dies After Fall At US Show

Newsroom

Posted on March 19, 2018

A Cirque du Soleil performer has died of the injuries he suffered when he fell during a show in Florida.

Cirque has confirmed the death of Yann Arnaud, who fell during a show in Tampa on Saturday night, writing in a statement posted to Twitter that although "emergency procedures were immediately activated" after the fall, Arnaud later died of his injuries at the hospital.

According to the statement, Arnaud was performing an aerial straps number when he fell.

"The entire Cirque du Soleil family is in shock and devastated by this tragedy," the statement read.

"Yann had been with us for over 15 years and was loved by all who had the chance to know him.... Our focus will be on supporting Yann's family and our employees, especially the Volta team, as we go through these difficult times together."

Cirque wrote that they "are currently gathering more information about this tragic event" and said they're "offering [their] full and transparent collaboration to the authorities as they look into the circumstances of this accident".

The last two Florida shows of the VOLTA tour, which were scheduled for 1.30 and 5pm in Tampa, were cancelled, and the flag over the Ciruqe tent was flown at half mast.